By H

"Damn it," Caiden curses darkly, letting go of Aasia carefully.

Unsteady on her feet, she watches as Caiden goes to Dante. The wolf lets out a high-pitched whine and collapses in the snow. Caiden curses again and lifts him out of the snow.

He turns around to face Aasia, an expression of absolute rage on his face. He holds Dante in closer to his body, protectively. Blood dribbles down into the snow from Dante's wounds. Aasia feels sick when she realizes how much blood there actually is soaking into the snow.

"Is he…?" She beings tentatively, fearing the worst.

His tone is clipped as he answers her, and harsh. "He's wounded badly," He snaps, "And because of you." He turns and hurries deeper into the castle with Dante still in his arms.

Aasia looks at the bloody snow, guilt washing over her. He's right and she knows it. If she hadn't tried to leave, Dante would never have been hurt. What hurts her the most now is how Caiden had looked at her, like she'd betrayed him in the worst possible way. She doesn't want him to hate her like that. She has to make it up to him, to Dante!

Aasia hurries into the castle. In the dining hall, she finds them. Caiden has laid Dante carefully on the dining room table. Dante's breath is labored, his chest heaving and falling in pain. Caiden is sitting in one of the chairs, facing his friend. There is a tortured expression on his face, as if he is feeling the same pain as his friend. As Aasia approaches, he turns his face to her. His tortured expression moves instantly back into stony indifference.

Aasia wishes now more then ever he'd look at her with some feeling, even anger. She'd prefer that to no feeling at all.

"Why is he breathing so hard?" She asks, trying to ignore the feeling of unease in her stomach as she steps up to the table.

Before she can reach out and touch Dante, Caiden grabs her wrist. Not letting go, he pushes her into the nearest chair. He stands over her, caging her in with his arms. Aasia freezes in fear, afraid he's about to kill her for trying to escape.

His eyes are a flashing ice blue as he flexes his fingers around the chair. Then, with a controlled movement, he lifts a hand and strokes her face. Its so carefully done Aasia doesn't now what he means by the movement. Is he about to rip her head off?

"Are you afraid of me?" He questions her, his tone deadly. His hand moves from her cheek to the back of her head. There his fingers twine into her hair. His other hand comes up to hold the side of her face. "A pack of wolves are the ones that attack you, and yet you feared them less then you do me now." His thumbs run over her galloping pulse. Aasia realizes her breathing is coming quick, proving his words. She attempts to slow it, knowing its harder for him to listen to it pumping blood every beat.

"I'm only as afraid as you're making me," she says in defense. She is trying not to be preoccupied with the gorgeous ice color of his blue eyes. "I know you're angry with me for-for leaving," she finishes quietly. She looks down, ashamed of herself.

"Let me see your eyes," he demands, his fingers tightening in her hair.

She obeys, tears welling in her brown eyes as they meet his. "I'm sorry." It sounds so pathetic.

He searches her eyes for himself, gauging her feelings. "You're sorry because Dante is hurt?" He asks, intent.

"Yes," she nods, tears running down her cheeks silently. "I didn't think by leaving he'd be hurt, or you." Aasia reaches up and tentatively touches his controlled face. His eyes flicker at her touch. "I'm sorry I've hurt you too. I'm sorry you're angry at me."

He makes a sound close to a growl. "I'm not angry at you for leaving, I'm…" He stops midsentence. His angry expression falters. "I can't lie to you. I am angry. I'm angry that I couldn't keep you here of your own free will."

He lets out a large sigh. His hands drop from her to the chair. He pulls back so that he's crouching in front of the chair, and no longer crowding her. "I knew this would happen at some point. I knew you'd try to leave." His voice becomes heavy with preoccupied thoughts. "I took your village clothes and burned them, hoping that would stop you from leaving. Foolish hope! I should have known you'd never let that stop you from choosing Neere over me."

Aasia's tears slow as she looks at him in surprise. "Am I that important?"

The look he sends her has Aasia shivering with feelings. "A rose is always important," he says thickly, "And I have been so lucky as to find one in this frozen world."

His anger returns. "To think that wolves could have killed you, taken you from me!" His eyes sharpen on her, incredulous. "Did you honestly expect me to just let you go? I don't care how many villages you'd have run to, I would have come and fetched you."

Aasia shrugs, smiling faintly. "I wasn't thinking clearly. I didn't stop to consider the fact I was taking your precious blood supply with me."

He groans in frustration. "It's not just your blood I desire!" He yells at her.

Before he can shock her further, Dante yelps in pain on the table. Instantly, Caiden goes to him, soothing him with his words and strokes.

Aasia leaves the chair, moving to Caiden's side. "Do you know what's wrong with him?" She asks, desperate to help.

Caiden nods carefully. "I've killed enough humans to know the signs of death."

Aasia gasps. "Don't say that!"

He looks at her, serious. "His ribs have been badly broken, and have punctured several organs. Even for a werewolf…" Caiden lowers his eyes. "Even for my friend, he barely stands a chance."

Aasia glares at him. "I realize vampires are pessimistic, but-" She shoves him harshly. "-Quit it! You've got me here, remember? Expert at cutting animals open and fixing them up." She shoves him again. "If you want him to live, go get my tools! And my knife!"

A few hours later, Aasia finally finishes sewing Dante up. He's quit yelping and has since gone to sleep. His breathing is even.

"Can you…maybe lay him in front of the fire?" She asks Caiden.

Caiden picks up Dante carefully and lays him on the newly made bear rug in front of the fire. Dante stretches his paws into the thick fur. In his dreams, Dante feels the warmth of the fire, and he imagines he's in the deserts of Eurabia, running through the hot sands.

Caiden looks at his friend's peaceful expression, relaxing himself. "Thanks to you, he might live," He murmurs.

Aasia winces, stretching her muscles. "Don't forget, it's because of me he's hurt." She blinks her eyes, exhausted after the strain of the evening. "I need sleep, but I need to wash up."

Caiden takes her arm gently in his grasp. "There is a bathing chamber in your room. I worked on it as you were cleaning the bear, so the hot water does work."

In her chambers, Aasia pulls the red dress over her head. The dress is filthy from her attempt to escape. Aasia drapes it over a chair, hoping it can be cleaned again. She fills the brass tub with hot water and slips inside.

Aasia gasps at the wonderful feeling of being enclosed with hot water. Water was difficult to heat up in the village, so Aasia has only ever had small sponge baths or colder full ones.

Aasia realizes so many wonderful things have happened to her since Caiden brought her here. Aasia turns onto her side in the tub, resting her cheek on her arm so it's above the water. She stares at her expression in the metal surface.

He'd called her a beautiful rose, but Aasia doesn't feel like one now. She feels like an ugly traitor.

Her tears of humiliation begin to flow down her face. She begins to cry softly, seeing Dante's blood and Caiden's hurt expression in her minds eye.

A finger brushes the tear from her cheek, making her jump slightly in surprise. Caiden's strong arms lift her out of the water. Before she can begin to feel embarrassment or protest, he wraps her in a warm red silk robe. He lifts her into his arms again, being very gentle, and lays her on her bed.

"You're making a habit of putting me to bed," she murmurs, rolling on her side so he can't see her tears. She's not quite done feeling down on herself.

Caiden lies next to her. He turns over so he's facing her back. He slips his left arm around her waist, holding her against him companionably. "I can't have you drowning yourself when you need sleep."

"I don't think I can sleep," she says quietly. "I'm feeling too much, and thinking too many things, to sleep."

Caiden's warm breath hits the back of her neck. "What are you thinking, feeling?" He asks her. His tone is quiet to match hers. It's comforting.

"I'm thinking about how stupid I was for leaving this place. I'm feeling horrible, guilty," she confesses.

"Don't," he tells her, tightening his hold. "I was expecting you to try and leave me. You miss the village, it is only to be expected."

She turns her head slightly toward him. "You mean, you expected I'd miss Neere?"

She can't see him, but she hears the jealousy in his tone as he answers. "You love him. I understand."

Aasia drops her head back down into the pillow, sighing deeply. "Truthfully," she says slowly, "I don't miss the village as much as I once did." And it shocks her to realize she doesn't miss Neere as much as she used to either.

Caiden's tone sounds confused as he asks, "Then why did you leave?"

Aasia's eyes glance down at the embroidery in the comforter. "Because," she explains carefully, "I'm starting to care for Dante. And for you."

The room echoes silently at her words. Caiden doesn't say anything for a while. He is merely pleased to have gotten so much from her as her caring. "And because I am a vampire, you're ashamed of those feelings." He guesses.

Aasia nods her head, tasting acid at the back of her throat.

Caiden lifts his head, his lips now near her ear. "Look," he begins, business-like, "I know this arrangement is- disturbing to you, but I'm willing to make you a deal. I need blood every month, so I can't let you just go. If I did that, I'd have to kill another victim. And I'm sure you don't want that."

"I don't," she assures him.

""So," he continues, "If you stay, allowing me the taste of your blood slowly, a bit every day…I won't need a sacrifice ever again."

Aasia gasps as she realizes his plan. "You won't kill anymore villagers if I stay here forever?"

"No." His warm breath ruffles the hair falling on her cheek. His hand leaves her waist, his fingers pulling the wet strand back around her ear. "In exchange for your cooperation, I will allow you to return to the village during the week of sun." He pauses before adding. "To return to Neere." Caiden throws the last in, thinking it will surely be the most important reason for her to stay with him.

"What choice do I have but to take it?" She remarks, bitter humor in her tone. "If the cost of my freedom will save many lives then…of course." She pulls her arm up, resting her head into the crook of her arm as she stares at the far wall of her room. "I accept. You have my word that I will not try to escape again."

Caiden relaxes behind her. He moves his face back more comfortably into her neck. "Good," he breathes out. His hand, which had been touching her hair, slides down her side-smoothing out the silk robe-to her waist. Aaisa follows the movement, surprised at the electric feeling that spreads through her at his touch. She can only imagine what his fingers would feel like directly on her skin, instead of on the cloth.

"Is something wrong?" Caiden inquires. "You're heart rate just went up." His hand stops its movement, settling comfortably around her waist once again.

"No," she lies, "Just thinking about Dante, and the week of sun."

To cover the lie over with action, she takes Caiden's still hand that's at her waist and holds it in her own. She falls asleep next to him like that, his hand firmly in hers and his weight pressed into her back.

By K

When Aasia awakens, she rolls over expecting to find Caiden next to her. But he's not there. She feels the bed next to herself, and finds it cold. She shifts, and the red silk robe slips smoothly over her skin. She glances around, wondering what she'll wear now.

Lying across the chair in front of the mirror is her red dress. Aasia slips out of bed, going over to pick it up. Its been cleaned! She quickly takes off her robe and puts the dress on. The floor is cold on her feet, but she doesn't have any shoes. So, she makes do, stepping out of her room and going to the dining hall. When she enters, she stops in her tracks at what she sees.

Caiden has made Aasia food! Apples, peaches, pears, cooked meat and a full glass of red wine take up a seating area on the large dining room table.

Aasia stares at the table, then at Caiden. In shock, she slowly walks over to him. "Did you do this?" She asks, pleased.

He smiles at her reaction. "I did," he confirms.

She picks up at apple, turning it around in her hand as if she can't believe its real. "How did you get fruits in this country?" She bites into it and her eyes light up. "Its snow fruit! Tell me, how?"

He chuckles. "My secret." He winks.

Then, Aasia remembers Dante. She goes around the table to where they'd left him the night before. Dante's is lying on the bearskin rug, awake but not in pain. He looks up at her as she goes to her knees before him. "Dante?" she implores, holding her hand out to him. "Forgive me?"

His big tongue licks her hand instantly, forgiving. Aasia sighs in relief, and pets him softly on the head. She smiles abruptly and stands. Turning around, she almost runs into Caiden. He takes a hold of the back of her hand that still holds the apple.

"I want you to know that I forgive you, too." He holds up her hand with the apple, grazing her knuckles with his lips. "You should eat. You'll need your full strength for each day now."

Aasia had started to smile, but now it freezes and dims completely. "That's right," she remembers, "I'm your three meal-a-day." Her voice has gone flat. Aasia pulls away from Caiden and takes her seat. She pulls a plate of food towards her, but finishes eating the apple.

Caiden sits next to her, close to Dante as well. He ignores her sudden tension, pretending everything is going well.

"Can you show me a rose?" Aasia suddenly asks, and then bites into the apple again.

"All I have is what's on the poll of your bed," he explains, apologetic. He wishes he could give her everything she desires. She deserved it for what she was giving up to stay with him.

"You don't have any real ones?"

"They can't grow here. They need warmth, sunlight, water…"

"Oh." Aasia eats some of the other food that's laid out for her. She has to smile at Dante, whose knawing on a bone in the corner.

After she finishes, Caiden leads her to his room without a word. He shuts his door behind her and then turns to face her. He is not smiling now, but neither does he look frightening.

"Dante doesn't like it when I feed in front of him. That's one reason I don't bring anyone here." He goes to her. Gently, he slides his left hand onto the base of her neck and his other hand onto her lower back. He pulls her close to his body. Aasia lays her hands on his chest, but this time not to keep her distance. He slowly leans in so as not to frighten her, and places his cold lips onto her neck; her soft, warm neck.

This is the second time he's bitten her; Aasia knows what to expect, so she braces herself in preparation. Her eyes close in expectation, and she clutches his white long sleeved shirt in her tight fists.

Her steady breathing breaks apart as he presses down, and then pierces her skin. She grunts at the pain, holding back any other sound that might come out of her mouth. As Caiden feeds, he runs his hand up her back, trying to calm her. It helps, and Aasia leans forward, pressing herself against him.

Strangely, she starts to enjoy this. Relaxing, she slides her hands over Caiden's shoulders slightly, pulling him closer. Caiden strokes his thumb across her jaw line.

Aasia begins to feel dizzy. Then, a memory flashes in her mind. She's experienced this feeling of dizziness before; only it hadn't been her, but her mother being drunk from.

Suddenly, Aasia doesn't feel dizzy anymore. She remembers how her family and village had been murdered, and she remembers who it was who had killed them! Fright mingles with anger at what she is allowing herself to do. She begins pushing away from him, trying to say no to this!

Caiden stops his feeding instantly, looking at her in concern. "What is it? Maybe you should-"

"NO!" She cries. "It was you!" She stops pushing, staring at him in sudden realization. "It was you…" she whispers.

Caiden's still holding Aasia close. "Beg your pardon?" He raises an eyebrow.

She's not only frightened now, she's shocked! Tears form in her eyes, making them a bright brown and gold. "You killed my parents!" She pushes him. Her anger returns to her.

He's horribly confused. "What? When?"

"18 years ago!" She raises her arm to hit Caiden but he grabs her arm and pulls her close, holding her other arm too.

"I didn't kill them," he says strongly, restraining her from hurting herself.

"You're the only vampire on this mountain!" She's looking into his eyes, and he's looking into hers now. His are starting to lurch toward ice blue.

"I've only been here for 11 years," he tells her. He loosens his grip, enough so that she could start hitting him again, if she so chooses.

She resists the urge to keep striking him, frowning at his revelation. "How do I know…?"

"Use your head," he says gruffly, "The large massacres slowed down 11 years ago. I started accepting sacrifices instead of the whole village. The sacrifices were only required every month."

Aasia lifts her chin, defiant. "Its because of my visions you've…"

"No," he interrupts, "Its because I slayed the other vampire that lived in this castle. He would never have accepted your measly sacrifices."

She searches for holes in his story, but finds none. "Are you telling me the truth?" she asks quietly.

His eyes glint. "I give you my word to you, again."

Aasia relaxes, sitting on the foot of the bed. "It seems I have something else to apologize for."

He moves in front of her, taking her head in his hands. He rests his forehead against hers and sniffs. "Are you still angry?" he inquires.

"No," she answers. "But…I'm dizzy."

"I drank a lot of your blood flow, and it spiked when you were suddenly so passionate in your anger; so that increased the amount I meant to take. Now that it's slowed again, you're weakened." He sits next to her on her right and puts his arm around her. He draws her in lightly to his side, kissing her head.

By H

Against her skin he murmurs, "Truthfully, I'm surprised you're being so cooperative about this."

She shrugs. "Its not so bad when you have forewarning. Mentally, I'm braced for it."

His fingers trace up her neck to the faint scars there from his teeth. His stroke is tender. "Can't say I mind. Even though it's upsetting for you, I can't help but be grateful someone isn't pulling away from me in horror. You humans tend to do that, run screaming and such."

Aasia laughs, weakly. "Can you blame them?" An idea strikes her, and she looks at him, curious. "So, where'd you come from before-before you killed the other vampire?"

He smiles, looking off to the far wall. His eyes are open, but Aasia can tell he's seeing another place besides the room their in. "I cam from a place over the mountains. A very warm place."

Aasia can hardly imagine a place that is warm. She twists around in his arms, looking at him in surprise. "There's a land beyond the mountains?"

He looks at her, raising both eyebrows at her expression. "You never considered the possibility that your world of snow has an end?"

She shakes her head, eyes wide. "Never! I always was taught the God's cursed the world with snow and ice completely, and then the evil death god sent his minions of vampires to torment us."

Caiden winces, grimacing outwardly. "Ridiculous! You actually believe this?"

Aasia hesitates, not liking the annoyed expression on his face. "I used to," she hedges. "And it was the only explanation I was ever given!"

Caiden makes a sound of frustration and stands. "Come with me," he orders, but hold out his hand to help her up. Aasia is surprised again by his sudden manners, and she takes his hand carefully. His strong fingers pull her up with little to no effort on her part. Holding her hand, he leads her into the hall.

"Where are we going?" she asks, flexing her hand in his. She likes the strong feel of his hand, even if its intimidating because it dwarfs her own.

"Showing you the truth, and not this nonsense your village has taught you," he says, agitated, yet trying not to be. He's not angry at her; just at the people who lied to her in their ignorance.

Caiden leads her into the Library of the castle. Aasia frowns when she realizes that this is perhaps one of the few rooms in the castle that he uses regularly; there are no cobwebs, not a one.

Caiden removes his hand from hers so he can remove a large rolled up scroll from the middle shelf. He places it on the table and rolls it open. Caiden studies the flat surface and then points and taps an image on it with his finger. "Come here, Aasia," he bids, stepping aside for her.

Aasia goes to his side. She recognizes the design on the scroll for a map, but doesn't recognize any of the shapes or places it depicts.

Caiden takes her hand in his and places it on the map to a blue section. "This, " he says, "This is your country. See here?" He lifts her finger and presses it down again a few inches from where she'd had it. "This is your village, and this above it-"He circled a triangular design slightly above the village. "This is our mountain, and out castle."

bnthridiot: My friend is taking her time writing her section...I think she didn't appreciate me leaving her at such an odd cliffhanger...she's not sure what she's supposed to do with a map (truthfully, I didn't either, so I left the job to her. I keep begging her to finish writing, so hopefully soon I can post our new chapter.